Las Vegas Boulevard Waterline Replacement: Designing Water Infrastructure for a Highly Visible, Rapidly Changing Location

Existing waterlines on Las Vegas Boulevard between I-215 and Sahara Avenue were constructed between 1955 and 1960 and are now in need of replacement. To address this issue, the Las Vegas Valley Water District has undertaken a multi-phase project that includes over three mi of 36-in. diameter steel waterline, and over 3.5 mi of 24-in. and smaller ductile iron pipe. The project is being constructed in one of the most heavily trafficked and utilized roadways in Nevada. The presence of many other utilities within the project alignment, as well as frontage by major businesses that are primary contributors to the Southern Nevada economy, creates unique challenges for designing and constructing a large-diameter waterline. This paper discusses challenges related to the design and installation of a large-diameter waterline in a highly visible, rapidly changing location that is densely developed by other utilities.